University of Antwerp

In 1852, two commercial institutes were founded in Antwerp: the Rijkshandelshogeschool (the State School of Economics) and the Sint-Ignatius Handelshogeschool (the Sint Ignatius School of Economics). Initially geared to business and commerce, they helped to make Antwerp a world centre for commerce and culture.

Excellent academic education is closely connected with scientific research. Students acquire knowledge about research results during lectures, through course materials and/or digital media. They gain a better insight by discussing research findings with each other and by writing papers about them. They become proficient in different research methods and also learn to conduct their own research.

The education we provide emphasises the development of competences. In addition to knowledge and insight, these competences will also include particular skills and attitudes. Thanks to competence-oriented education, our academic graduates are able to function successfully in professional environments.

The University of Antwerp, as a true research university, strives to excel in as many research areas as possible. This is why the University Board decided in 2010 to define nine frontline research domains and three emerging frontline research domains in which the University of Antwerp is recognized world leader. Key to the Board's eventual selection was long-term research excellence. As a result, the 12 selected domains are all areas in which the University of Antwerp has a strong tradition of producing cutting-edge research that is considered internationally excellent, in terms of quality, output as well as relevance.

With more than 5000 employees, the University of Antwerp is one of the largest employers in the province of Antwerp. Every day, our employees' efforts ensure that innovative education is provided to more than 20,000 students, that groundbreaking fundamental and applied research is conducted and that the university is able to play its important role as a service provider in society.The University of Antwerp employs people with very wide-ranging profiles and educational backgrounds. 3,700 academic and scientific personnel work in the most diverse disciplines. In addition to this 1,200 employees work in administration, logistics, ICT, technology, infrastructure, communication, management and policy.